CALDWELL, N.J.- Caldwell University softball senior Sydney Ponto (West Deptford, N.J.) struck out seven in a game one win but the Cougars fell in the nightcap to Pace University. The Cougars took the opener 6-4 but the Setters won the nightcap 3-0.
 
The Cougars move to 13-8 on the season, while the Setters stand at 9-6 overall.
 
Caldwell took advantage of a two-out error to score a pair of runs in the third inning. The Cougars added three runs in the fourth as they loaded the bases. Junior Marisa Monasseri (Monroe, N.J.) drew a walk to force in a run. Sophomore Carly Testa (Sicklerville, N.J.) and freshman Jessie Johnston (Livermore, Calif.) both singled to extend their lead to 5-0.
 
The Cougars added a run in the fifth as senior Lauren Frye (Jupiter, Fla.) drew a one-out walk and scored on a double by senior Amy Hickman (Jackson, N.J.). Pace added a run in the fifth and two more in the seventh but Ponto closed the door to earn her eighth win of the season.
 
Ponto (8-3) allowing four runs (one earned) on five hits with seven strikeouts in the win.
 
In the nightcap, Caldwell was limited to four hits as Johnston (2-for-3) and Frye (2-for-2) accounted for all the Cougar hits.
 
Johnston (3-3) tossed 6 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on nine hits and struck out one. Sophomore Alexa Toner (Mt. Laurel, N.J) closed out the final 2/3 of an inning, allowing one hit.
 
The Cougars host the University of New Haven in a non-conference doubleheader on Sunday, April 2 at noon at Caldwell Field.